Midstream MLPs: What Just Happened?

For the quarter ended December 31, oil lost 37.9% of its value and energy equities followed. The XOP, a measure of oil and gas producer price performance, lost 39.1%. The AMZ, a measure of midstream MLP performance, lost a much less severe but still unsettling 17.0%.

Past performance does not guarantee future results

However, we believe the fundamental backdrop for the energy sector and midstream MLPs is much less scary than the price collapse just experienced. In our opinion, over the fourth quarter of 2018, energy and midstream equities succumbed to a painful combination of de-risking, tax-loss selling, and apathy for still out-of-favor subsectors, leaving midstream MLP valuations at historic lows.

Historical Context

The Financial Crisis

The fourth quarter of 2018 held some resemblance to the fourth quarter of 2008 when crude oil collapsed by 55.7%. Specifically, the broader market, as measured by the S&P 500 (SPY), also experienced a severe correction. For the quarter, the SPY lost 18.0%, which is near the 21.6% loss experienced over the fourth quarter of 2008.

Though, consider that over the fourth quarter of 2008, U.S. GDP fell by a whopping 8.2% as all facets of the economy appeared impacted by the seeming perils of the financial crisis. As a result, global oil demand experienced a dramatic reversal shifting from a 1.5% pace of growth to a -0.7% decline in 2008 and a -1.1% decline in 2009.

In contrast, for the third quarter of 2018, U.S. GDP grew at a 3.4% pace. While global economic activity does appear to be slowing, the prospects of a 2008-like global economic crisis appear remote. Further, oil demand growth for 2018 appears set to approximate 1.4 million barrels per day (mm bpd), or 1.4%. The “agencies” (IEA, EIA, OPEC) are forecasting similar demand growth in 2019.

2014 Cyclical Break

While the oil price collapse of 2008 was demand driven, the cyclical break in oil prices that began in the fourth quarter of 2014 was supply fueled. In late 2014, the oil markets awoke to the productive potential of U.S. shale. In the face of this new source of supply, OPEC nations flooded oil into the market in hopes of drowning out nascent shale drillers with a low price. This market share battle ended when U.S. shale, through aggressive efficiency and productivity improvements, proved it was here to stay and OPEC finally cut supply in late 2016 to support pricing. In contrast, at the most recent OPEC meeting on December 6, 2018, OPEC members agreed to lower their production targets in order to maintain a healthier price.

More importantly, global oil and gas investment leading up to 2014 was robust but global oil and gas investment since has been tepid. Today, U.S. shale nearly stands alone in receiving enough investment to grow supply to meet future demand or to offset declines elsewhere. In fact, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has voiced concern that without a significant increase in energy investment elsewhere, the call on U.S. shale may be more than what is possible. As a result, the specter of a 2014-like supply shock appears remote. (Note: In the near future we will provide an additional blog with greater oil macro data).

Conclusion

When considering the fundamental backdrop discussed above, we feel comfortable suggesting today’s oil price level, and the resultant equity price turmoil, are unlikely to sustain. Nonetheless, midstream MLP multiples now sit at 7.3x versus a historical 10-year average of 11.0x.

U.S. midstream volume growth appears relatively sheltered from price volatility as the primary threat to crude pricing is the low break-even economics of U.S. shale. In other words, despite near-term crude oil price volatility, U.S. volumes appear set to grow meaningfully. As a result, we expect midstream MLP volumes, the primary driver of midstream cash flows, to remain healthy.

The views presented herein represent the opinions of OFI Global Asset Management (“OFI Global”) and are not intended as recommendations, as investment advice or to predict or depict the performance of any investment. These views are based on the information available as of the date noted and are subject to change at any time based on subsequent developments.

The Alerian MLP Index is a float-adjusted, capitalization-weighted index measuring master limited partnerships, whose constituents represent approximately 85% of total float-adjusted market capitalization. The S&P 500 Index is a broad-based measure of domestic stock market performance. The Dow Jones Equity All REIT Index is designed to measure all publicly traded real estate investment trusts in the Dow Jones U.S. stock universe classified as equity REITs according to the S&P Dow Jones Indices REIT Industry Classification Hierarchy. The Dow Jones Utility Average, also known as the Dow Jones Utilities Index, aims to represent the stock performance of 15 large, well-known U.S. companies within the utilities industry. Indices are unmanaged and cannot be purchased directly by investors. Index performance is shown for illustrative purposes only and does not predict or depict the performance of any investment. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Investing in MLPs involves additional risks as compared to the risks of investing in common stock, including risks related to cash flow, dilution and voting rights. Each Fund’s investments are concentrated in the energy infrastructure industry with an emphasis on securities issued by MLPs, which may increase volatility. Energy infrastructure companies are subject to risks specific to the industry such as fluctuations in commodity prices, reduced volumes of natural gas or other energy commodities, environmental hazards, changes in the macroeconomic or the regulatory environment or extreme weather. MLPs may trade less frequently than larger companies due to their smaller capitalizations which may result in erratic price movement or difficulty in buying or selling. Additional management fees and other expenses are associated with investing in MLP funds. Additionally, investing in MLPs involves material income tax risks and certain other risks. Actual results, performance or events may be affected by, without limitation (1) general economic conditions, (2) performance of financial markets, (3) interest rate levels, (4) changes in laws and regulations, and (5) changes in the policies of governments and/or regulatory authorities. Investing in MLPs may generate unrelated business taxable income (UBTI) for tax-exempt investors both during the holding period and at time of sale. Diversification does not guarantee profit or protect against loss.

This material is provided for general and educational purposes only, is not intended to provide legal or tax advice, and is not for use to avoid penalties that may be imposed under U.S. federal tax laws. OppenheimerFunds is not undertaking to provide impartial investment advice or to provide advice in a fiduciary capacity. Contact your attorney or other advisor regarding your specific legal, investment or tax situation.

OFI Global Asset Management (“OFI Global”) consists of OppenheimerFunds, Inc. and certain of its advisory subsidiaries, including OFI Global Asset Management, Inc., OFI Global Institutional Inc., OFI SteelPath Inc., OFI Global Trust Company, SNW Asset Management, LLC and OFI Advisors, LLC. The firm offers a full range of investment solutions across equity, fixed income and alternative asset classes. The views herein represent the opinions of OFI Global and are subject to change based on subsequent developments. They are not intended as investment advice or to predict or depict the performance of any investment. The material contained herein is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, investment, accounting, legal or tax advice. Further, this material does not constitute a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security. No offer or solicitation for the sale of any security or financial instrument is made hereby.

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